Biography

American Robert Zimmerman took to the water at a young age and, in 1904, won his first of the 23 Canadian national swimming championships that he would capture over the next decade. He was an all-around swimmer who earned titles in the 50, 100, and 220 yard freestyle categories in addition to numerous styles of diving and underwater swimming. During this period he represented Canada at two Summer Olympic Games, even though he never became a citizen of the country. He was eliminated in the first round of the springboard diving, 100 metre freestyle, and 100 metre backstroke events in 1908 and placed fifth in the springboard competition in 1912. His athletic talents took him beyond swimming and diving as well: in addition to being one of Montreal’s top water polo players from 1905 through 1912, he competed in football, basketball, canoe racing, bowling, and ice hockey and was given an opportunity to try out as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, although he injured his arm shortly before the trial. During his career he would compete for “whichever club was the best in each sport”.

Outside of active competition Zimmerman worked as a lecturer, draftsman, deep sea diver, movie underwater stuntman, and swimming coach. Among his students was Canadian 1912 double Olympic gold medalist George Hodgson. He returned to the United States in 1915 and remained athletically active until his death at the age of 99, spending hours a day training in his racing canoe to reach his goal of completing a 35-mile paddle at the age of 100.

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